Scots university stops using prosthetics featured in Hollywood blockbusters to train student nurses

10:06, 16 Feb 2015

ByGary Cruden

LECTURERS at Aberdeen’s Robert Gordon University had been using the lifelike silicone masks, which featured in movies such as Mission Impossible, to portray different patients.

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Students had been using the lifelike silicone masks

A SCOTTISH university has stopped using life-like prosthetic masks featured in Hollywood blockbuster to train student nurses- amid claims they could add to the stigmatisation of those with mental health problems.

Lecturers at Aberdeen’s Robert Gordon University had been using the lifelike silicone masks, which featured in movies such as Mission Impossible, to portray different patients.

However, the university apologised for any offence caused and an RGU spokesman said a review was under way.

The team at the university had created four characters, played by four lecturers in full custome, for mental health courses.

They included Billy, a north-east farmer with a strong Doric accent who suffers from depression, and Sheila, a victim of sexual violence with an anxiety disorder.

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The use of the prosthetics had previously been hailed by the university officials.

Mental health nursing lecturer Inga Heyman said: “We are very lucky to work with patient volunteers, however, there are ethical issues in using them for particularly complex and sensitive issues and we were keen to find another way to engage the students.

“The use of the masks has introduced new and exciting opportunities to develop realism for all nursing students.

“One of the greatest benefits of using this type of masked learning is that students have the opportunity to view the same ‘patients’ throughout their course and work with them face to face.”